Dublin off to a winning start to their campaign
Dublin 2-9 Westmeath 2-4
A strong second half performance saw Dublin overcome Westmeath in the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT played in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Saturday evening. Westmeath had 2 attempts on goal before the opening points by Dublin’s Conor Kinsella and Enda McDonnell. A terrific pass move by Westmeath’s Conan O’Hara was finished to the Dublin net by John Tumelty.
Westmeath had another attempt for a point off the post before Jason Coughlan pointed for them. . Points were exchanged before a great Dublin point from a free near the sideline had the sides level. A Conan O’Hara goal just before the break had Westmeath leading 2-2 to 0-5.
On the resumption, Westmeath’s Conan O’Hara stretched their lead with a pointed free. Westmeath had further chances to increase their lead, but were off target including a goal attempt. Dublin too had chances during this period and only had a pointed free by Darragh Warner to show for it. A John Tumelty point increased Westmeath’s lead to 4 points (2-4 to 0-6), but this turned out to be their last score.
Pauric Purcell’s 48th minute goal was the start of the Dublin comeback. A terrific penalty kick by Dublin’s Lee Gannon to the left corner of the Westmeath net set Dublin up for victory. Dublin added 3 unanswered points, while Westmeath were off target on 2 occasions before the final whistle.
The game was played at a very fast pace with great commitment from both teams.
Dublin’s Eanna Torsey received the @man of the match’ award from Dermot Monaghan (Oldcastle GFC).
Dublin: Jack Kinsella, Cian McGrane, Eoghan Lyons, Tom Aherne, Kevin Quinn, Eanna Torsey, Lee Gannon (1-0), Darragh Warner (0-1), Fionan O’Sullivan, Niall Comerford Jordan Leonard (0-1), Adam Byrne (0-1), John Foley, Conor Kinsella (0-3), Anthony Quinn (0-1)
Subs: Enda O’Donnell (0-2), Andrew McCaul, Stephen Mahony, Sean Tuke, Gavan Sorohan, Padraic Purcell (1-0), Sam Jones, Adam Kelly, Lennon Bracken
Westmeath: Darren Browne, Liam Faulkner, Daniel Ennis, Conal McKiernan, Jason Coughlan (0-1), Shane Allen, Eoin Mulvihill, Neil Clinton (0-1), Colin Murphy, Niall Derham, Adam Gilbride, Sam Maxwell, Josh Beaumont, John Tumelty (1-1), Conan O’Hara (1-1)
Subs: Trevor Martin, Matthew Gunning, Shane Coughlan, Donagh Prendergast,Sean Fox, Kevin Rowan, Aaron Dowling Ben O’Brien,Eoghan Bracken, Tadhg Moody, Nicky Hamm, Keelan Galvin, Adam Flanagan, Oisin Dowdall, Luke Nangle, Oisin Murphy, Oisin Hogan, Brian Ruane, James Finlass, Dillion Mattews, Luke Gunning, Jensen Nagle, Aaron Flanagan, Mark Eivers, Paul Smith, Kyle Smith
Ref: Joey Curley (Meath)